BETTER FUTURES FOR CHILDREN LIVING IN OUT-OF-HOME CARE
Who are we?
The Little Stars Foundation is a non-profit organisation, with DGR1 status based in South East Queensland.
Since 2016, we have been delivering early intervention programs to support children living in foster, kinship and residential care. This includes a Cuddle case program, camp programs and educational support programs.
Our work now involves advocating for the rights of the child and for better systems and legislation to protect and support children living in out of home care.
With your support and donation, we can raise awareness of systemic issues and advocate for better outcomes for children who have experienced abuse and neglect.
“The healthy development of children is absolutely critical to the future wellbeing of any society. After all, when we are no longer here, the world will belong to them.”
Early intervention is critical.
We know that the educational gap between children and young people begins at a young age, increases as they get older and persists throughout their lives.
For children with complex needs who have experienced trauma and are living in foster, kinship and residential care, learning and achieving good educational outcomes can be compromised by earlier experiences of abuse and neglect, disrupted attachment and the trauma of moving into care.
Once young people enter care, issues such as placement instability mean children miss out on key curriculum concepts.
Cognitive, social and emotional impacts of trauma can lead to what shows outwardly as ‘behavioural issues in the classroom’ which leads to a higher incidence of suspensions, exclusions or reduced hours at school, all of which further compound the child’s ability to engage, learn and have a positive educational experience.
Queensland data from the Department of Education indicates this cohort of children shows lower achievement rates overall on the National Minimum Standards in NAPLAN tests than all Queensland students. Students in out-of-home care are also less likely to complete their high school education or go on to tertiary education, limiting their options for positive adult outcomes. When children miss out on the foundational skills of literacy and numeracy early on in their educational journey, they cannot keep up with their peers.
These cumulative factors create a disheartening trajectory, increasing the likelihood of school disengagement and the involvement of these children in the youth justice system. The Youth Justice Census Summary for Queensland between 2018 and 2022 indicates that up to 69% of youth involved in the youth justice system have experienced or been impacted by domestic and family violence and up to 63% are disengaged from education, training or employment. The impact of trauma on outcomes for our young people is far-reaching. Recent figures also reveal that almost one-third of serious repeat offenders among Queensland youth are living in foster, kinship, or residential care. We need to do better to support our young people and help them heal from abuse and trauma and one of the ways we can do this is by providing early intervention support through positive consistent relationships, education and community engagement.
Early intervention in the primary school years is critical. By creating engagement with learning and building confidence and self-esteem through holistic educational trauma-informed support, we can make a life-changing difference for the young people we support.
Feel empowered
Investment in policies and programs which support our young people living in foster, kinship and residential care will result in short and long term returns.
We are committed to working alongside and collaborating key stakeholders and other providers to improve outcomes for our young people. After all, it does take a village to raise a child.
Our programs have already helped hundreds of young people catch up at school but we need your help. Be the change you want to see in the world and be part of the solution to providing our children with the support they need to thrive.
“How we value and treat our children is the greatest measure of the humanity of a society .”
What the Little Stars Foundation does.
Little Stars Foundation is committed to achieving the key outcome of fostering positive educational experiences, helping children engage with school, improving literacy and numeracy and creating positive impactful experiences to help children thrive.
We provide children and their carers with Connection, Support, Fun, Laughter and Hope.
How Your Donation Helps our Children in Queensland.
We support Queensland children living in foster, kinship and residential care as well as other children who are disadvantaged through the following:
Download Information Kit
Discover more about you can support and raise much needed funds for the Little Stars Foundation by downloading a Little Stars Learners Information Kit. Help Queensland children living in foster, kinship and residential care to thrive!
We couldn’t make the impact we do without generous sponsors like yourselves. All donations over $2 are tax deductible. Thanks for your support!
Our Little Stars
He achieved an ‘A’ for Science. Wow!…
Message from Grandmother and kinship carer Kathleen… P has a few learning difficulties when it comes to his academic achievements at school. His handwriting in particular was quite poor, and his executive functioning skills also required a high level of support. He also experienced difficulties in sequencing, especially with maths.
Little Stars taught her how to believe in herself…
Message from foster carer Melanie… Thanks to the Little Stars Learners program Miss 10 has grown in confidence and self-belief. The one-on-one tutoring is so beneficial, as the work and how it is presented can be tailored to suit each individual child, unlike in the classroom where everyone has to
I am so happy for him I am literally crying….
Message from foster carer Karen… Oh, my goodness! I am so happy for him I am literally crying! This is the best news our little family has had in the last month. I would like to thank our foster agency for also funding this for P. Even though my husband
